The series includes excellent assessment tools. The "Q Online Practice" allows teachers to assign homework and track student progress. The tests provided in the teacher’s book are well-aligned with the material taught, focusing on skills rather than rote memorization.
: Students access mobile-optimized practice for listening and speaking, including unit videos, skill-building exercises, and self-assessment checklists. Levels & Proficiencies
The 3rd edition has significantly upgraded its audio/video content. You won’t find slow, scripted dialogues. Instead, students hear real lectures, NPR-style news clips, and unscripted interviews with natural pace, hesitations, and accents (including non-native English speakers). This is brutal for beginners but excellent for real-world preparation. skills for success listening and speaking
The series bridges the gap between General English and Academic English (EAP).
Every unit explicitly teaches a Cornell-style note-taking strategy (e.g., using abbreviations, outlines, mind maps). Unlike other books that treat notes as an afterthought, this one integrates them directly into the listening comprehension tasks and speaking assessments. The series includes excellent assessment tools
: Each unit is framed by an "Essential Question" (e.g., "What is a good job?") that encourages students to think critically and engage deeply with the topic.
is a comprehensive six-level series by Oxford University Press designed to prepare English language learners for academic success. The Listening and Speaking strand focuses on developing communicative competence, critical thinking, and the specific language skills required in real-world and academic environments. Core Components & Features Instead, students hear real lectures, NPR-style news clips,
New copies with access codes run $45–$65 USD. The code expires after 12-24 months, rendering used books mostly useless. This is a financial burden for independent learners.
Because it combines vocabulary, grammar, critical thinking, and note-taking, the material is dense. Lower-level students may feel overwhelmed by the amount of reading required even in a "Listening and Speaking" book.
While the content is realistic, the audio speed in the lower levels (Level 1 and 2) can sometimes be slightly slower than genuine native speech. However, this is a common issue with most ESL textbooks and generally improves by Level 3 and up.
Unlike rote repetition textbooks, this series is built around a essential question for each unit (e.g., "Why do people follow fashion trends?" ). This pushes students beyond simple comprehension to analysis, synthesis, and debate. The listening passages are chosen specifically to challenge assumptions, not just test recall.